PITTSBURGH  (August 11, 2026) – With construction season at its summertime peak, Peoples Natural Gas, urge customers and contractors to recognize 811 Day and take great care with all digging and excavation practices.

Tuesday, August 11 (8-11) brings a clear reminder of the importance of a simple and safety-first call to 811, the national number to report projects involving excavation and request utilities like Peoples mark nearby lines. Data tracked by the Common Ground Alliance’s Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) found that the cause of more than 1 in 5 damages to underground infrastructure is a lack of notification to 811 – the top cause of pipeline damages nationwide.

“Calling 811 is the first step in preventing damage to underground utility infrastructure, and preventing the emergencies that happen when pipelines are hit,” said Peoples Damage Prevention Manager Charles Brazier, a member of the Pennsylvania One Call Board of Directors. “As we make significant investments to upgrade infrastructure, improving safety and reliability, we encourage our customers and contractors to call ahead of every excavation project. Working together, we can keep our communities safe from the risks created by pipeline damage.”

Calling 811 before digging is free to homeowners and can prevent injuries, fines and outages in the community. The process is simple:

• Call 811, the national call-before-you-dig hotline, at least three business days before the planned start of excavation;
• Wait for the site to be marked by utility companies with paint, flags or stakes;
• Dig with care. Respect the markings and use appropriate tools while excavating. If a pipeline, line markers, locator wire or warning tape is damaged, leave the area immediately, then call 911 and notify the appropriate utility.